South Africa appoint Rassie Erasmus as head coach
Rassie Erasmus has been confirmed as the new head coach of the South Africa rugby team.
The former South Africa forward replaces Allister Coetzee and will try to turn around the fortunes of the Springboks, who have endured a very disappointing two years.
Traditionally a world rugby powerhouse, South Africa have slumped to sixth in the world rankings, with the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan on the horizon.
In the last two seasons, the dual former World Cup winners won only 11 of 25 Tests under Coetzee and twice conceded 57 points against greatest rivals New Zealand.
Erasmus has been handed a contract which runs until after the 2023 World Cup, although he will retain his current title as the national union’s director of rugby.
The 45-year-old played 36 tests as a flanker for the Springboks from 1997-2001, and he has coached in domestic and Super Rugby in South Africa, also recently working as director of rugby for Munster.
The decision to appoint Erasmus, who missed out to Coetzee two years ago, was widely expected, and he will be assisted by Jacques Nienaber, former France prop Pieter de Villiers and Mzwandile Stick, with Welshman Aled Walters appointed the Head of Athletic Performance.
The first challenge for the new coaching team will be to prepare the Springboks for a one-off Test against Wales in the United States and then a three-Test series against England in June.
Erasmus said: “It is a huge task to coach the Springboks and I am very privileged.
“I really believe we have the players and the rugby IP (intellectual property) to turn things around and to mount a serious challenge at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“We have 18 Tests and just under 600 days until Japan 2019 and, although a lot of planning has already gone into our Rugby World Cup preparation, it is very important that we prepare thoroughly for the matches against Wales and England in June.”
South Africa great Victor Matfield said: “Technically, there is not a better coach in South Africa than ‘Rassie’.
“In fact, he is one of the best in the world. If Eddie Jones can turn England around in one season, ‘Rassie’ can do the same with the Springboks. There is enough time to get them back on track.”
